Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel said plans for a status of forces agreement that would allow French troops to be stationed in Cyprus were “extremely dangerous, provocative, and an unacceptable step”. He said such plans could damage the island’s “peace and tranquillity”.
Warning over impact on negotiations
Ustel said the plans were likely to “seriously damage the atmosphere of peace and tranquillity on the island”. He said President Nikos Christodoulides and “people of his mindset” speak “on the one hand … of a new negotiation process, while on the other ignoring and disregarding the Turkish Cypriot people”, adding that “this contradictory stance clearly reveals his true intentions”.
Consent and international law claims
Ustel said “any military presence or action in Cyprus requires the consent and approval of the Turkish Cypriot people”. He added that “any action taken without this approval is null and void under international law”.
Comments on Macron and France
Ustel described statements made by French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to the island last week as “arrogant”. He said France, “known for its exploitative approach to almost every country it enters, can only offer the Greek Cypriots great disappointment in the long run”, and added that “France, as an EU member state, poses one of the biggest obstacles to a fair and lasting solution in Cyprus with its attempts to deploy troops to the island”.
Criticism of the European Union
Ustel said the situation was “a clear indication of the European Union’s hypocritical policy” towards Cyprus. He added that “no member state of the European Union can take decisions or engage in actions which disregard the sovereignty rights and security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”.
Message on future response
Ustel said “the Turkish Cypriot people will continue to operate the institutions of their own state on the basis of peace, security, and justice, while remaining within the framework of international law”. He said what is expected from Macron and the EU is that they “abandon their colonial mindset regarding the Cyprus issue and adopt a fair stance”, and warned that steps which disregard Turkish Cypriots “will inevitably receive the necessary response”.
How do you view the implications of a possible status of forces agreement for French troops in Cyprus?
